Loss of cargo due to sinking of container ship MSC Elsa 3: Kerala HC orders conditional arrest MSC Polo 2 anchored in Vizhinjam port
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the conditional arrest of a Liberian-flag ship named MSC Polo 2 anchored in the Vizhinjam international seaport in connection with the sinking of container ship MSC Elsa 3 off the Kerala coast on May 25 on an admiralty suit filed by a cashew importer firm whose consignment was on board the sunken ship.
The arrest order came on a petition seeking compensation of ₹73.49 lakh from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) for the loss of the consignment, filed by Praveena V.P., managing director of Kollam-based Sans Cashew India Private Limited. Her allegation was that the vessel sank due to its mechanical, technical defects/failure, owing to lack of proper care, and (also) the 'unseaworthiness' of the vessel, or due to the improper stowage of containers in the vessel due to incompetence of the crew.
Beyond jurisdiction
The counsel for the shipping firm contended that the vessel is beyond 14 nautical miles from the port and hence was beyond the court's jurisdiction.
The court said that it is satisfied that the petitioner has made out an arguable maritime claim, warranting a conditional order of arrest of the vessel. No harm will be caused to the shipping firm if a conditional arrest is ordered, till furnishing of security by the shipping firm.
In its order, the court said that the vessel is ordered to be arrested (by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd – the second respondent in the case) until the first respondent MSC deposited the ₹73.49 lakh in the court, or until security for the amount is furnished.
The warrant of arrest of the vessel would be withdrawn and the conditional order of arrest automatically vacated once the amount is deposited or security is furnished by the firm. The matter has been posted for hearing on June 23.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk faces pushback as Texas lawmakers urge delay of Tesla robotaxi launch
Elon Musk 's ambitious plans to launch Tesla 's robotaxi service in Austin this month have hit political resistance. A group of Democratic lawmakers from the Austin area has formally requested the company to delay the rollout until September, when new autonomous vehicle regulations are set to take effect in Texas. The lawmakers argue that waiting for the legislation to kick in would better serve public safety and help build trust in Tesla's self-driving technology . While Musk hinted at a tentative launch this Sunday, the lack of details has raised concerns about oversight and preparedness. Lawmakers cite safety and public trust concerns In a letter sent to Tesla on Wednesday, the group of Austin-based Democratic lawmakers urged the company to hold off until the new autonomous vehicle law comes into effect. They warned that an early launch could undermine public trust and compromise safety, especially without clear protocols in place. They asked Tesla to provide a detailed explanation of how it intends to comply with the upcoming legislation if it proceeds with the rollout as planned. What the new Texas law entails by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Currently, Texas allows autonomous vehicles to operate statewide, provided they meet basic registration and insurance requirements. The new law passed by the legislature which is expected to take effect in September, will require companies like Tesla to seek formal authorisation before launching driverless services . The law also grants state authorities the power to revoke permits if the vehicles are deemed a public danger, and mandates companies to provide emergency guidance for police and first responders. Tesla's quiet approach about the launch Tesla and Musk have so far offered limited details about the Austin robotaxi launch. Musk said it would begin with 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles operating in 'the safest' parts of the city, but has not revealed who the initial riders would be, how the service would be priced, or how remote monitoring would be handled. This opacity has added to the lawmakers' concerns and fuelled debate over whether the rollout is premature. High stakes for Tesla's future Musk has placed the future of Tesla heavily on its autonomous driving technologies, shifting focus from traditional EV sales to robotaxis and humanoid robots. Investors and analysts view the upcoming robotaxi rollout in Austin as a crucial step. The pushback from lawmakers, however, highlights the regulatory hurdles that could slow Tesla's momentum in a space already fraught with scrutiny. Will Tesla comply or proceed? It remains uncertain how Tesla will respond. While the lawmakers' letter carries political weight in Austin, Texas is a Republican-led state, and the new law has yet to be signed by the governor. Whether Tesla proceeds with the launch or chooses to delay voluntarily could shape both its public image and regulatory relationships moving forward. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
36 minutes ago
- Economic Times
US tariff spike hits China's small parcels, squeezing exporters
Bloomberg Live Events US tariff hikes on small packages from China triggered a slump in shipments last month, contributing to a huge drop in bilateral trade and roiling exporters like Shein Group Ltd The value of small parcels sent from China to the US fell to just over $1 billion in May, the least since early 2023, according to customs data released Friday. The 40% plunge from the same month last year marks a sharp reversal for a booming trade route, coming just as the US government eliminated a long-standing tariff policy shift is upending the business models of fast-fashion titan Shein and its rival Temu, which relied on the exemption to send goods directly to US customers free of tariffs. It's also squeezing thousands of small merchants who relied on the model as a low-cost entry into the world's largest consumer market.'Without the exemption, it would mean tougher business to us, and much fewer options for consumers, and potentially higher prices,' said Wang Yuhao, whose Kunming-based incense company, Shantivale, recently began selling to the US. 'This is a lose-lose situation.'For the entrepreneur, the new tariffs and logistical fees of direct shipping now would mean losing $2 on every parcel. To avoid the additional cost, Wang said he has pivoted to bulk shipments to US warehouses, a move that demanded an upfront investment of more than 100,000 yuan ($13,800) for inventory and source of the disruption is the end of the 'de minimis' rule exemption for Chinese and Hong Kong shipments. Previously, packages valued under $800 could enter the US duty-free. Since May 2, those parcels face tariffs as high as 54% after the Trump administration moved to close what it deemed an unfair trade impact on the largest players was swift. Shein raised US prices on items from dresses to kitchenware ahead of the hike to cover the costs of the higher tariffs, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. In the week after the tariffs took effect, both Shein and Temu saw double-digit sales declines, an early sign the punitive measures are eroding their with the drop, the US remained the largest single destination for China's small parcels, the data showed. Malaysia followed by taking more than $700 million worth of such shipments last small parcel shipments rose 40% in May compared to a year ago, with Belgium, South Korea, Hong Kong and Hungary among other large destinations.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: No headway in Maharashtra man's murder case
Failing to make a breakthrough in a Maharashtra-based devotee's murder a year ago, the police have released the pictures of some of the suspects wanted by the Jagraon police for allegedly poisoning him. The man was found dead during a religious event held in Jagraon in August 2024. However, the Jagraon City police station took five months to register an FIR, that too on the orders of Punjab and Haryana high court. A CCTV grab of one of the wanted suspects released by the Ludhiana rural police. (HT Photo) CCTV grab of the wanted suspects released by the Ludhiana rural police. (HT Photo) The suspects were captured on cameras in the religious event. The police assured that the name and identity of the informer would be concealed. On August 26, 2024, Gurusharanjeet Singh of Nagpur, Maharashtra, and his wife Kawaljeet Kaur had visited a religious site in Jagraon to pay obeisance. At the site, three unknown individuals offered them juice packets as prasad. Both drank the juice, with Gurusharanjeet Singh consuming the entire packet. Moments later, the couple fell unconscious. Kawaljeet Kaur was rushed to a government hospital and regained consciousness after treatment, but her husband was declared dead. Earlier, the police had inquested proceedings under Section 194 of the BNSS. CCTV grab of the wanted suspects released by the Ludhiana rural police. (HT Photo) After the police did not file any case, Kawaljeet moved the high court, alleging that her gold bangles, her husband's gold bracelet and a gold ring were stolen during the incident. Acting on the HC's directive, the police registered a case under Sections 123, 103 and 305 of the BNS which pertain to murder and theft. According to Inspector Varinderpal Singh Uppal, station house officer (SHO) of the Jagraon City police station, said the case was being investigated thoroughly. 'We are pursuing leads and are actively searching for the accused,' he stated. He said some suspects were captured on camera during the event. The reason behind the murder will be ascertained after questioning the suspects, he added. With the release of pictures, the police are hoping to receive information from people about the suspects.
